Domoni confident with set pieces

The Fiji Times - Friday, November 06, 2009 6:18 PM

FLYING Fijians head coach designate Samu Domoni Junior believes the national side will match Scotland and Ireland in the forward battle.

The teams in the Northern Hemisphere are renowned for their forward orientated game with a lot of focus being put into scrums and lineouts.

Domoni said they had covered all areas in their preparation for the tour. He said while time may not have been on their side for preparation, this was not going to be an excuse.

"The spirit is high and everyone is looking forward to the job that they have been called to do,"

Domoni said. "Everything is positive and it's all a hundred per cent. Everyone is prepared to do the task. All the areas we have covered regarding training and the peer barriers have been broken."

Twelve locally-based players are part of the tour.

They are Alefoso Yalayalatabua, Vili Veikoso, Vereniki Sauturaga, Sireli Ledua, Viliame Seuseu, Leone Nakarawa, Asaeli Boko, Jimilai Nakaidawa, Samu Bola, Waisale Vatuvoka, Jonetani Ratu and Nasoni Roko.

Domoni said the local players have been able to lift their standard to international level during their short training stint in Suva.

"He who dares wins and there is no problems in that," he said.

"We have breached the gap at training. That's why we came here for the local players. There is a big void between Farebrother and Test rugby.

"So that's basically why we came here to fill those gaps in terms of preparation both physically, mentally and spiritually." Domoni said they would take each game as it comes."

He said the forwards would have a big challenge on the tour.

"I suppose that every person from every country who put their hand up to carry their nation's flag has got an obligation and task to fulfil regarding the forward play," Domoni said.

"But we see this as a big challenge and a big game. We fear no one but respect everybody in that regards. There are personal goals for everybody.

"First thing that we have to cross first is the first hurdle which is Scotland."

"One game at a time at the moment. We will do our job and the score board will look after itself."

"There is no excuse in this camp. We are going by faith and faith is the substance hope which is unseen so we are going through that channel."